If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that slow walkers are arguably the worst thing on this planet. Coming to college and having to walk everywhere did not help with this pet peeve of mine, either. In my three years of college so far, this isn’t the only pet peeve of mine that stands out when it comes to being on campus. Call me picky, but I’m sure there are others that agree.
Slow walkers are probably the most frustrating thing out of everything I want to mention. Depending on your class schedule, you either have plenty of time between classes or not nearly enough. It always seems like when I have to walk to my class as soon as possible is always when there is an abundance of slow walkers. Usually, I am able to just weave my way around them. However, it often occurs that these slow walkers are walking side by side and create a whole barricade across the walkway. Please, I am begging you to walk off to the side if you know you’re going to walk slow!
Something that has definitely emerged as a new issue this year is finding a seat in the dining hall. Since campus is back at full capacity and running like (almost) normal, dining halls have seemed crazier than ever, especially Worcester because that is the one surrounded by most academic buildings. I tend to eat by myself for lunch when I’m on campus, so walking into the dining hall and searching for a seat is probably the most anxiety-ridden activity of my day. I usually have to do a few laps before I can find someone sitting alone at a table with a few chairs open.
I do usually end up finding a seat, however the issue is people who put their stuff on every chair so that no one else sits with them. I completely understand if this is for COVID-related reasons, such as not wanting to be within six feet of strangers without a mask. But, if you are eating alone and don’t mind sitting near random people, you can easily make that be known by only putting your belongings on one chair and leaving the others open. Also, booths are made for more than one person!
Another way to just simply be conscious of others in the dining hall is by just leaving some space between you and others if you’re waiting in line. Regardless of COVID, it’s always nice to just have some personal space. By just being aware of your surroundings, it can be calming to many others.
Issues with riding the PVTA this year have also become very common. I don’t understand how people have never been taught this common courtesy, but just please wait for everyone to get off the bus before you get on. It makes the transition at stops much smoother and efficient.
Driving through campus yourself is also insane! Sometimes I don’t mind it because it can be fun to just people-watch, especially if you aren’t in any rush. However, those super busy crosswalks in front of Worcester seem to be never ending. There’s always two sides to every story, so with this situation, it’s understandable to not let cars go if you’re in a rush. But, if you aren’t in a rush, it can be nice to sometimes just let a car or two go. I try to do this if I am able, just to ease up the traffic a bit, but sometimes people still continue walking even though I have stopped to try and wave cars on. I know it’s not my job to do this, but if your bus is late, this could be why!
If you frequent the Recreation Center, you know how it is almost always packed full of people. It’s nice to see campus full and lively again after a year and a half of COVID times, but I will say I do miss last semester when the gym was always fairly empty. This new surge of people means there’s less equipment available, all machines are in use, and there’s less space to exercise. One thing I’ve noticed you could do to help others in the gym is to only take the weights you need for that particular set of the movement you are doing. Your workout can be done in the same amount of time if you just take what you need for the moment.
Let’s all help each other out a bit during these crazy times and just be a bit more conscious of one another. Kindness and awareness are key in this world!
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